Nitric Acid

Key Stage 3

Meaning

Nitric Acid is an acid with the chemical formula HNO₃.

About Nitric Acid

Nitric Acid is an Oxidising Agent used in rocket fuels.

Nitric Acid with a concentration between 0.1M and 0.5M is an irritant.

Nitric Acid with a concentration above 0.5M is corrosive.

Nitric Acid reacts with metals and bases to produce Nitrate salts.

Nitric Acid and Metals

Nitric Acid + Sodium → Sodium Nitrate + Hydrogen

Nitric Acid + Magnesium → Magnesium Nitrate + Hydrogen

Nitric Acid + Aluminium → Aluminium Nitrate + Hydrogen

Nitric Acid and Metal Oxides

Nitric Acid + Sodium Oxide → Sodium Nitrate + Water

Nitric Acid + Magnesium Oxide → Magnesium Nitrate + Water

Nitric Acid + Aluminium Oxide → Aluminium Nitrate + Water

Nitric Acid and Metal Hydroxides

Nitric Acid + Sodium Hydroxide → Sodium Nitrate + Water

Nitric Acid + Magnesium Hydroxide → Magnesium Nitrate + Water

Nitric Acid + Aluminium Hydroxide → Aluminium Nitrate + Water

Nitric Acid and Metal Carbonates

Nitric Acid + Sodium Carbonate → Sodium Nitrate + Carbon Dioxide + Water

Nitric Acid + Magnesium Carbonate → Magnesium Nitrate + Carbon Dioxide + Water

Nitric Acid + Aluminium Carbonate → Aluminium Nitrate + Carbon Dioxide + Water

Key Stage 4

Meaning

Nitric Acid is an acid with the chemical formula HNO₃.

About Nitric Acid

Nitric Acid is an Oxidising Agent used in rocket fuels.

Nitric Acid with a concentration between 0.1M and 0.5M is an irritant.

Nitric Acid with a concentration above 0.5M is corrosive.

Nitric Acid reacts with metals and bases to produce Nitrate salts.

Nitric Acid and Metals

Nitric Acid + Sodium → Sodium Nitrate + Hydrogen

2HNO₃ + 2Na → 2NaNO₃ + H₂

Nitric Acid + Magnesium → Magnesium Nitrate + Hydrogen

2HNO₃ + Mg → Mg(NO₃)₂ + H₂

Nitric Acid + Aluminium → Aluminium Nitrate + Hydrogen

6HNO₃ + 2Al → 2Al(NO₃)₃ + 3H₂

Nitric Acid and Metal Oxides

Nitric Acid + Sodium Oxide → Sodium Nitrate + Water

2HNO₃ + Na₂O → 2NaNO₃ + H₂O

Nitric Acid + Magnesium Oxide → Magnesium Nitrate + Water

2HNO₃ + MgO → Mg(NO₃)₂ + H₂O

Nitric Acid + Aluminium Oxide → Aluminium Nitrate + Water

6HNO₃ + Al₂O₃ → 2Al(NO₃)₃ + 3H₂O

Nitric Acid and Metal Hydroxides

Nitric Acid + Sodium Hydroxide → Sodium Nitrate + Water

HNO₃ + Na₂OH → NaNO₃ + H₂O

Nitric Acid + Magnesium Hydroxide → Magnesium Nitrate + Water

2HNO₃ + Mg(OH)₂ → Mg(NO₃)₂ + 2H₂O

Nitric Acid + Aluminium Hydroxide → Aluminium Nitrate + Water

3HNO₃ + Al(OH)₃ → Al(NO₃)₃ + 3H₂O

Nitric Acid and Metal Carbonates

Nitric Acid + Sodium Carbonate → Sodium Nitrate + Carbon Dioxide + Water

2HNO₃ + Na₂CO₃ → 2NaNO₃ + CO₂ + H₂O

Nitric Acid + Magnesium Carbonate → Magnesium Nitrate + Carbon Dioxide + Water

2HNO₃ + MgCO₃ → Mg(NO₃)₂ + CO₂ + H₂O

Nitric Acid + Aluminium Carbonate → Aluminium Nitrate + Carbon Dioxide + Water

6HNO₃ + Al₂(CO₃)₃ → 2Al(NO₃)₃ + 3CO₂ + 3H₂O

References

AQA

Nitric acid, pages 143, 148-9, 347, GCSE Chemistry; Student Book, Collins, AQA